Characteristics and potential risks of microplastics in the soil near landfill in Anyang, China 

Landfills are the main storage facilities for plastic waste, which is prone to degradation into microplastics and potential transference to surrounding areas, posing contamination risks. This study focused on the characteristics and potential risks of microplastics in the soil near Anyang landfill in China, which is the largest municipal waste disposal facility in the area, located near the urban center and adjacent to villages and farmland. As it receives predominantly domestic waste with a high plastic content, it represents a potential source of microplastic pollution to the surrounding environment. Microplastics were extracted via density separation and oxidative digestion method. Their abundance, morphological traits, and types were analyzed through microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. This study conducted further research of the link between microplastic levels and soil physicochemical properties, and the associated ecological risks. The findings indicated that the abundance of microplastics in the soil varied between 900 and 4,900 items/kg, with elevated levels found near the landfill area compared to other areas. The majority of microplastics measured smaller than 0.5 mm (90.03%). The main shapes of microplastics included fibers, films and fragments. Seven colors of microplastics were identified, with black accounting for the highest proportion (69.29%). Rayon (59.1%) and polypropylene (PP, 22.7%) were major polymer types. A lack of significant correlation was observed between microplastic abundance and soil organic matter content, pH, or electrical conductivity, but it was significantly influenced by soil texture. Overall, the pollution level of microplastics in the study area was classified as moderate and the potential ecological risk was low. These findings suggested that microplastic pollution in soils near landfills may be influenced by landfill waste. This study provided a valuable reference for evaluating the soil microplastic pollution status, ecological risks and pollution prevention and control near the landfill site in Anyang City.